Fowlpox? What should i do?

[Paulinefrn]

Hello everyone!
I have a month-old pullet with very swollen spots at the base of her beak, and on her face, and i have only noticed it a few days ago. I suspect it is fowlpox, but i am not sure, being new at raising chickens. She seems to be walking, eating and drinking with no problem. I have not done anything so far as i am currently not home, and won't be for about two weeks. My father is taking care of her, and i am not sure what to tell him to do. I will post a picture when i get one.

Any help or advice is appreciated,
Pauline

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally as long as they are eating and drinking fine I do nothing. Fowl pox is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes or by direct contact. It will run it's course in about 4-6 weeks. It gets worse before it gets better. I leave the lesions alone as I think picking and messing with them causes it to spread more.

 

[Paulinefrn]

Here is a picture of the chick

 

[Paulinefrn]

Generally as long as they are eating and drinking fine I do nothing. Fowl pox is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes or by direct contact. It will run it's course in about 4-6 weeks. It gets worse before it gets better. I leave the lesions alone as I think picking and messing with them causes it to spread more.

Thank you! Would it be recommended to isolate the chick (even though it still follow its mom) to make sure the disease doesn't spread? There are loads of mosquitoes in my region. Also, I would just like to make sure that it is in fact fowlpox. Can you check the picture i uploaded as a reply to the thread?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It doesn't quite look like fowl pox. @Eggcessive , @Wyorp Rock ,what's your thoughts?

 

[Eggcessive]

That doesn’t look like fowl pox to me, but it looks like something that was brought to my attention on a thread the other day by @azygous. There was a chicken with scaly face mites which I had not heard of. It looks a bit like this. Treatment is ivermectin drops, but in such a young bird I would use caution. Hopefully others will chime in about ivermectin use in a 1 month old. Here are some pictures that may be scaly face mites:

Here is the thread which has a better picture of the possible face mites:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/210dfb84-9f86-43c4-bf4d-29811b9502cd-jpeg.1495961/

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is the picture of the bird in the thread:

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What are you feeding her?

I agree, it could be scaly face mites. If you have a vet that can take a few scrapings and look at those to give you an official diagnosis, that would be best.
As mentioned, since she is so young, caution and great care should be given if you administer Ivermectin. You can find the Pour On Ivermectin at Tractor Supply or online. Weigh your little one so you know the proper dosage. The only information I have on Ivermectin Dosing is from this POST. Read it very carefully and take note of the decimal points and weights being discussed. Ivermectin Pour On must be put at the base of the neck along the spine, it needs to be in contact with the skin.

If she seems to be scratching it, I would also be inclined to apply a little coconut oil or maybe triple antibiotic ointment on the face.

 

[Eggcessive]

Whatever it is, and scaly face mites is just a guess, you can try coating it with mineral oil or vaseline. That can smother any mites. Do you see any fowl pox in your older birds, have mosquitoes out, or see any scaly leg mites in any of your chickens? Mites can be spread in a nest box with a broody hen. As Wyorp Rock said, be careful if you use ivermectin. In small birds such as canaries, it can be toxic to use. If you should see any evidence of fowl pox in other chickens, let us know. I am a little nervous trying to diagnose your pullet with a picture.

 

[azygous]

I agree that the chick is awfully young for a strong medicine. These face mites will respond to being smothered just as scaly leg mites will. You could smear on some Vaseline and that would be safe. Be careful not to get in the eyes, although it probably wouldn't hurt. Keep the Vaseline applied until the mites are all gone.